What is drug diversion in healthcare?

• A. When a healthcare worker diverts a drug intended for a patient for their own purpose.
• B. When a patient refuses a drug.
• C. When a nurse administers a drug correctly.
• D. When a drug is wasted.

Answer: (A)

Drug diversion occurs when a healthcare worker takes a medication that was prescribed for a patient and uses it for themselves or another unauthorized purpose. This is a serious ethical and legal breach because it deprives patients of their medications and creates safety risks, including potential overdose, addiction, or ineffective treatment. Diversion often involves stealing controlled substances, altering documentation, or distributing meds for nonmedical use, and facilities implement controls like secure storage, strict inventory, and monitoring to prevent it.

Refusing a drug is a patient decision and does not involve misappropriation. Administering a drug correctly reflects appropriate clinical practice. Wasting a drug can be part of proper disposal procedures and, when done correctly, isn’t misusing the medication for personal benefit.